For three months from Monday January 15, sections of Murray Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Wyperfeld national parks will be temporarily closed at times while park conservation programs are underway.

Most closures will be from sunset to sunrise in limited areas and will have minimal impact on park visitors.

This may affect overnight camping at some campgrounds for short periods of time.

Parks Victoria regularly undertakes dedicated conservation programs, designed to contribute to habitat restoration across all its parks.

These programs include activities such as monitoring of grazer and plant populations, revegetation, spraying, controlled burning, and animal control programs.

They are crucial to restoring habitat and improving overall landscape health.

Parks Victoria is using highly skilled professionals to undertake these operations, which will be thoroughly planned and carried out under strict conditions designed to ensure safe, effective and humane practices at all times.

Parks Victoria Total Grazing Management Coordinator Brendan Rodgers said these programs are part of over two decades of work to restore the Mallee landscape.

“This follows a century of grazing, timber removal and the impact of introduced species such as goats and rabbits.”

“The program is a result of years of scientific research, data collection and technical advice to assist in restoring a natural balance in these parks.”

“Areas of native flora that had been significantly depleted are showing signs of recovery following previous control programs.”

“Other programs also actively contribute towards habitat restoration including the Federal Biodiversity Fund program and the 20 Million Trees Program, which have resulted in 1.6 million seedlings being planted in Mallee national parks in the last five years.”